In Christian tradition, this is the day the descent of the Holy Spirit is celebrated, fifty days after Easter. (Pentecosté = fiftieth.)

But Pentecost existed before Easter. The reason Peter and the other disciples were gathered in Jerusalem in the first place was for Shavuot (a.k.a. the Feast of Weeks, a.k.a. Pentecost), which took place seven weeks after the second day of Passover... fifty days after the first day of Passover.

(I love making these connections. I'm such a math/language geek.)

Beginning on Pentecost, God demonstrated His intent to bring people from every tribe and tongue to Himself. He pushed the disciples past their narrow understanding of community, proving His purpose was far bigger than the redemption of a single people group.

Some have observed that the Pentecost story of Acts 2 is the redemption of the Tower of Babel story of Genesis 11 — a divine act of reuniting people who had been divided, or made "other," from one another.

Community.... unity... removal of division...

This year, Pentecost falls on another holiday: Loving Day, a celebration of the 1967 Supreme Court case (Loving v. Virginia) which made it illegal for states to enforce laws banning interracial marriage.

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about me...

I am a follower of Christ, counselor, and student... I like to read, write, sing, laugh, learn new things, travel to new places, and do homey domestic stuff... my favorite color is purple... and I always have a cherry ChapStick in my pocket.

favorite quotes...

"If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail." psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)

"The art of therapy revolves around helping clients to bow out of their symptoms gracefully.” psychiatrist Milton Erickson (1901-1980)

Documented conversation between Martin Luther & Philip Melanchthon: Melanchthon said, "Martin, this day we will discuss the governance of the universe." To which Luther responded, "Philip, this day you and I will go fishing and leave governance of the universe to God."

"If a man harbors any sort of fear, it percolates through all his thinking, damages his personality, makes him landlord to a ghost." author Lloyd C. Douglas (1877-1951)

In 1767 Anglican clergyman and hymnwriter John Newton wrote in a letter: "The Lord himself is our Keeper. Nothing befalls us but what is adjusted by His wisdom and love. He will, in one way or another, sweeten every bitter cup, and ere long He will wipe away all tears from our eyes."